The protest began at 4 p.m. as protesters locked arms and stood in the street. Many held signs saying "Black Lives Matter."

The protesters chanted and refused to leave despite warnings from police, but otherwise remained calm and peaceful. Police began making arrests about 4:50 p.m. and loading people into vans. Police Chief James Rovella said the 17 taken into custody would be charged with disorderly conduct.

Those attending the protest said it was held as part of the Black Lives Matter movement aimed at making changes to the criminal justice system, prisons, schools and housing they believe will help the African American community. The protesters were a mix of young and old and black, white and Hispanic.

Some protesters estimated the group was several hundred in size, and as many as 40 linked arms on Central Row between Main Street and Columbus Boulevard at the peak of the demonstration. Many more stood on the sidewalk.

Among those arrested was Bishop John Selders, pastor at Amistad United Church of Christ in Hartford, who helped organize the event.

"This is about black lives matter," Selders' wife, Pamela, said as some of the protesters were being arrested. "We have committed to having public demonstrations to make the space for conversation and changing laws."

Pamela Selders said the group believes "police are using the law to weaponize instead of helping."

Rovella said the protest "went very well for both sides." He noted that it was orderly and peaceful. He said he has spoken to some of those arrested in the past and invited them to talk, including John Selders, but he said they were not willing to at the time.

Protesters in downtown blocked a busy intersection at the foot of the Founders Bridge as part of a "Moral Monday" demonstration.

Protesters in downtown blocked a busy intersection at the foot of the Founders Bridge as part of a "Moral Monday" demonstration.

John Selders led a similar protest on Feb. 23 in Hartford, when protesters marched down Main Street and to city hall. Police followed the group that day, but made no arrests.

Wildaliz Bermudez, a Hartford resident who attended the protest, said there are too many black and Hispanic men in prisons and more needs to be done to address that problem.

"We're out here because in so many cities, you have black and Latino men and women in prison," Bermudez said. The percentage compared to white people is much higher, she said.

She said that instead of spending so much money on prisons, more should be spent on social programs, including scholarship programs.

The Rev. Henry Brown, who has long been vocal about stemming violence in the city, was at the protest and said he agreed with the message.

"These things need to happen," Brown said. "It's good to see people are standing up for the people in the urban communities."

The organization's Twitter account called on people to "Bring the love in your heart, warm clothes on your back, and some good will to share with those who need it. #BlackLivesMatter."

After the February protest, police said they were concerned about the safety of protesters who were blocking two lanes of Main Street during rush hour. Selders was asked if he planned to obtain permits from the city for future events.

"No. I have no intention. Ever," he replied.

Police diverted traffic from the area, but getting out of downtown Hartford was still difficult.

Capitol and state police were assisting Hartford police, while police from neighboring communities were staging at the old police station on Jennings Road.

In North Carolina, the president of that state's NAACP chapter, the Rev. William J. Barber II, began leading Moral Monday protests in 2013 after the GOP-controlled legislature enacted stricter voting laws.